Rita's accomplishments include: First Female Student Body President to be elected at Clemson University since its founding in 1889; Recipient of the Norris Medal for being the best overall Graduate at Clemson University; National Overall best member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority (only 1 of these given in the nation each year); Rhodes Scholar semifinalist; Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity; 2000 Most Outstanding undergrauate Woman of the Year; Miss Clemson University 1999; University President's cabinet; Coordinator for BLITZ BUILD, the only student-led Habitat for Humanity project in the nation.

Rita has also serves as a state consultant for South Carolina Farm Bureau's agricultural literacy program, AG IN THE CLASSROOM. Rita has traveled all over the nation reaching over 9 million people to promote agricultural literacy. She also served as America's National Beef Ambassador.

Rita will begin law school in the fall at either Harvard, Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, USC, or Georgia (She's been accepted to ALL of them!!). She will then begin her career in agricultural policy as an attorney.

Rita has also addressed the South Carolina House and Senate on behalf of Clemson University on numerous occasions. She has even worked for U.S. Senator Ernest Fritz Hollings. Rita was also a delegate at the National Leadership and Values Forum and National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. where she spoke with many national political figures, including former Vice President Al Gore (a fellow Harvard student!).

Rita's goal for this year is to reach Americans everywhere to promote agricultural literacy. As Miss Tigertown 2001, Miss South Carolina 2001, and Miss America, she will meet this (and many other) goals.

BEST OF LUCK, RITA!!

Scholarship for our program was provided by:

BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC CO-OP

ANDERSON COLLEGE

Clemson Area Businesses